Charges Filed After Break-Ins at Smithville Lake Park Buildings

Clay County investigators say three buildings at Smithville Lake in Clay County Parks were broken into and rummaged through on the same day last month, with tools, keys to heavy equipment and other items reported stolen. Investigators said the break-ins also caused significant damage to the facilities.

After the burglaries, deputies increased patrols in the area. Two nights later, at about 1:15 a.m., a deputy spotted a vehicle with broken tail lamps driving near the scene of the earlier crimes. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, investigators said the driver fled, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended on Mount Olivet Road near NE 132nd Street.

Deputies arrested the driver and searched the vehicle, where they said they found keys and a set of bolt cutters stolen from County Parks. Investigators also recovered what they described as burglary tools, including a pry bar, saw, slim jims used to access locked vehicles, pliers and a skull-shaped mask. Authorities said they also found additional evidence that could connect the suspect to crimes in other cities.

Aaron A. Quinn, 46, has been charged with resisting arrest by fleeing and possession of burglary tools. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be filed. Officials said theft and damage to public property affect the entire community, and they praised the deputies and investigators who worked to stop the crime pattern quickly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Missouri Highway Patrol Urges Safety this Memorial Day Weekend

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead and stay safe while enjoying travel and outdoor activities across the state.

With pleasant weather expected to draw more people onto Missouri’s roads and waterways, officials say preparation can help make holiday weekend plans more successful. Because of ongoing road construction statewide, the Patrol recommends travelers use the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map before leaving home. The map offers up-to-date details on road closures, traffic delays, construction zones, and alternate routes, and is available both online and as a free mobile app.

The 2026 Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 25. During that time, every available trooper will be assigned to patrol Missouri’s highways and waterways, enforcing state laws and assisting motorists and boaters in need.

Troopers patrolling Missouri roadways will focus on hazardous moving violations, speeding, and impaired driving. The Patrol will also take part in Operation C.A.R.E., or Crash Awareness Reduction Effort, during the holiday weekend.

Last year’s Memorial Day weekend saw 868 vehicle crashes across Missouri, leaving 356 people injured and four dead. On the water, there were three boating crashes reported statewide, though none resulted in injuries or fatalities. Troopers also made 81 driving while intoxicated arrests and no boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2025 holiday period.

Memorial Day weekend is widely considered the unofficial start of boating season, and officials are reminding the public to wear seat belts in vehicles and life jackets near, on, or in the water. The Patrol also urges anyone planning to consume intoxicating substances to designate a sober driver, whether traveling by car or boat.

Anyone who witnesses criminal activity or experiences an emergency is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Those emergency numbers are available for both highway and water emergencies.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Waterfest Returns for its 43rd Year

Waterfest 2026 will return to downtown Excelsior Springs on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, bringing back one of the Kansas City area’s longest-running summer traditions for its 43rd year.

Organized by the Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, the annual festival draws thousands of residents and visitors for two days of entertainment, family activities, contests, vendors, and community traditions. Waterfest is the city’s largest annual event and has been named Best Festival in the Community of Excellence Awards for the past two years.

This year’s festival will feature more than 90 vendor booths along Broadway offering arts, crafts, clothing, gifts, food, beverages, and novelty items. Festivalgoers can also expect live music on the Rite-Way Stage, the Waterfest Summer Jam concert, country artist Josh Collins, the Waterfest Parade, a beer garden, and a wide range of attractions including a custom car, hot rod and truck show, a motorcycle show, a quilt show at the Hall of Waters, a Kids Splash Zone, free trolley rides, free hot air balloon rides, and community favorites such as the Little Miss & Mister Waterfest contest and the Rotary water fight.

One event returning to the lineup this year is the ES Idol Singing Competition, an amateur vocal contest that had been popular in previous years. Auditions are scheduled for June 19 and 20 at Slightly Off Broadway Theatre, with finalists set to perform during Waterfest on June 27. Former contestant Samantha Barrett is helping organize the competition alongside Cindy Hewitt.

Festival organizers said Waterfest remains a community-wide effort supported by volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, and civic groups. “This festival is about celebrating the spirit of Excelsior Springs,” organizers said. “Waterfest brings together families, visitors, businesses, entertainers, nonprofits, and volunteers in a way that truly showcases our community.”

Organizers are currently seeking additional volunteers, sponsors, parade entries, and vendors ahead of the June festival. For schedules, applications, contest information, sponsorship opportunities, and festival updates, visit: ESWaterfest.com.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County Public Health Achieves National Recognition

Clay County Public Health Center (CCPHC) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.

Emergency Response Coordinator Wennekota Tarama (center) accepts the Project Public Health Ready award on behalf of Clay County Public Health during the 2026 Preparedness Summit in Baltimore in April.

CCPHC demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The health center joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. CCPHC is the fifth agency in Missouri to earn this recognition.

“I am extremely proud of our team for the work they put in to earning Project Public Health Ready recognition,” said Clay County Director of Public Health Darrell Meinke. “It took a lot of time and commitment, and I hope it shows our community our dedication to serving them well, especially in the case of a public health crisis. We will always be ready to quickly and effectively respond.”

PPHR recognition confirms that Clay County Public Health has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices.

PPHR's criteria elements are organized into 3 goals, including:

• All-hazards preparedness planning,

• Workforce capacity development,

• Quality improvement through exercises and responses and a comprehensive exercise plan.

Within the 313 measures submitted by CCPHC, 301 were marked as Fully Met, with only 12 being Partially Met and zero being Not Met.

“Public health preparedness planning, response, and recovery begins at the local level. Local health departments play an essential role in creating healthy, resilient communities that can respond to and recover from disasters.” said Lori T. Freeman, Chief Executive Officer. “NACCHO commends Clay County Public Health for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”

For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR.

KPGZ News

Kearney Senior Wins Top Prize in Design Contest

Kearney High School senior Amara Miles has won a Northland-wide T-shirt design contest tied to FIFA World Cup 2026™ festivities, earning the opportunity for up to $12,500 in scholarships from Park University and seeing her design featured on shirts sold at watch party events across the Northland.

seniors Scout Pimblott and Amara Miles. Photo by Ray Weikal

Go North KC and Park University announced May 7 that Miles received the grand prize in the contest, which was held this spring among high school students throughout the Northland. Voting took place online and in person at the North Kansas City Snake Parade.

As the top vote-getter, Miles will be offered a $5,000 renewable and stackable scholarship from Park University. Combined with other scholarship opportunities and based on her current GPA, the award could total $12,500 if she attends Park University and maintains a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Her winning design will appear on T-shirts sold at all seven Northland FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties.

Park University is also offering scholarships to the top 12 participants in the contest. The remaining 11 finalists will each be offered a $1,000 renewable and stackable scholarship that can be combined with other Park University awards, including academic scholarships, A+ scholarships and campus visit incentives.

Two other Kearney High School students were also recognized among the contest runners-up: senior Scout Pimblott and junior Ruby Mendel.

Jennifer Goering, executive director of the Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the contest reflected the collaborative spirit behind Go North KC and highlighted the artistic talent in local schools.

“From the start, Go North KC’s mantra has been ‘we are better together,’” Goering said. “This contest showcased the phenomenal artists at our area high schools, and we can’t wait to see the winning design on our watch party T-shirts. Thank you to Park University for its generous scholarship offer to the winning artist.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.